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Twins' G.I. Joe promo is calm; Few people decline 'war-toy' freebie
St. Paul Pioneer Press ^ | 7/6/04 | JASON WILLIAMS

Posted on 07/06/2004 11:57:17 AM PDT by rhema

G.I. Joe didn't start a war. In fact, he hardly caused a peep.

Most of the 16,191 fans who showed up at the Metrodome on Monday seemed to favor the Twins' G.I. Joe action figure giveaway before a game against the Kansas City Royals, and the fictional battlefield commander "Duke" was met with little resistance from those who thought the promotion promoted war.

"A few people rejected them," said Shelby Rhodes, who was part of a volunteer group from St. Paul Central High School handing out some of the action figures that were distributed to the first 5,000 children age 14 or younger as the Twins honored local military personnel.

Asked the manner in which those fans declined the freebie, Rhodes said: "Respectful." Security guards working at gates said they did not notice any resistance.

The Twins last week came under fire when some anti-war groups criticized the baseball club's promotion as glorifying war, particularly at a time when the nation is engaged in military resistance in Iraq. Those voices that were heard loudly in the media in the days leading up to what the Twins called "Armed Services Appreciation Day" were silent in and around the Metrodome.

"Much ado about nothing," said Twins spokesman Brad Ruiter, adding that executives from the organization walked around the Dome before the game and did not notice any resistance toward the promotion. "Ever since this became an issue last week, we received thousands of e-mails. It was a ratio of about 125-to-1 in support of what we were doing."

Ruiter said that there was "never any thought of canceling the promotion." He added that after hearing the criticism, the Twins decided they would offer fans who declined to accept the G.I. Joe action figure a pack of Twins baseball cards.

Joe Repya Jr., a retired Army lieutenant colonel who lives in Eagan, heard about the resistance on Sunday, and the Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran organized a group of about 20 people to support the Twins. His group stood at the intersection of Fifth and Chicago, holding up signs that showed their support for troops and for the Twins' decision to distribute G.I. Joe action figures.

"We Support Our G.I. Joes and Janes!" one sign read. "Thank you Twins," another sign said.

Several people honked their car horns to show their support for the group. Others cheered as they walked toward the Dome gates. The only sign of resistance came from a middle-aged man donning a Dennis Kucinich cap. "Bring our troops home now!" he shouted to them as he crossed Fifth Avenue.

A young girl walking behind the man looked back at the supporters and twirled her hand next to her ear, as if to gesture that the man was cuckoo.

"Anger," Repya said.

That was hardly the reaction inside the Dome gates. Moms, dads and children alike were excited about receiving the action figure, which is about 4 inches tall. "Look at this!" one boy said to his brother. "We got one!"

Shakopee resident Joe Smith, an Army reservist who served in Afghanistan for six months last year, and his family purchased tickets months ago when they heard about the promotion. He said the criticism of the promotion was unwarranted.

"You know, it's a toy," said Smith, whose four children each received the action figure. "You give little kids a fork or a spoon — especially boys — and they turn it into a gun. (His children) are excited about it."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS: actionfigure; gijoe; mlb; mntwins; wartoys
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1 posted on 07/06/2004 11:57:20 AM PDT by rhema
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To: Caleb1411; Valin; Snuffington; The Big Econ

And to frost the cake, Brad Radke threw the first complete game by a Twins' pitcher this season.


2 posted on 07/06/2004 11:59:26 AM PDT by rhema
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To: rhema
The only sign of resistance came from a middle-aged man donning a Dennis Kucinich cap. "Bring our troops home now!" he shouted to them as he crossed Fifth Avenue.

Grandfather Twilight still carries his torch.

3 posted on 07/06/2004 12:03:27 PM PDT by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: rhema

It's your typical ploy of the leftwing pacifists. They aren't concerned so much about the fact that they've been offered this GI Joe toy. What they are concerned about is that OTHER PEOPLE have been offered this toy. They want to block those other people from being subjected to free speech.


4 posted on 07/06/2004 12:04:32 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: rhema

It was reported on Fox news yesterday that the Twins plan to do the same promotion next year. The team also said that they have received many requests from companies that want to sponsor the event next time.

Way to go Twins!


5 posted on 07/06/2004 12:19:56 PM PDT by tamikamaria
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To: rhema

And they are back in first place! A good day all around.


6 posted on 07/06/2004 12:21:28 PM PDT by tamikamaria
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To: rhema
He added that after hearing the criticism, the Twins decided they would offer fans who declined to accept the G.I. Joe action figure a [pair of raisins].
7 posted on 07/06/2004 12:22:22 PM PDT by rabidralph (My pit bull drives an SUV.)
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To: rabidralph

heh


8 posted on 07/06/2004 12:23:34 PM PDT by cyborg
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To: rabidralph

9 posted on 07/06/2004 12:24:18 PM PDT by cyborg
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To: cyborg

Yo Jo!


10 posted on 07/06/2004 12:32:26 PM PDT by WestVirginiaRebel (Communism, Fascism, and Islam. Try and see if you can tell the difference.)
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To: WestVirginiaRebel

I always wanted to be Lady J or Scarlett O'Hara.


11 posted on 07/06/2004 12:33:06 PM PDT by cyborg
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To: rhema; Happygal
My 7 year old daughter was inducted into the Continental Army this past Sunday at the Independence Day festival in Bridgewater, NJ. She along with many other children were marched to the supply tent and provided with wooden musket replicas. They were then lined up by the Captain (In full Continental Army uniform) and taught how to prep and fire their weapon. He then gave them a lesson on using the bayonet!

I was thinking how un-PC this entire process was and nervously awaited some parent or other loony adult to jump out and interrupt the demonstration but nothing like that happened. In fact, the parents of the kids cheered at the end.

My daughter was excited at the prospect of fighting the British. (what say ye Happygal?) I reminded her that was the past but that there are many other dangers to the freedom Americans enjoy. I told her she would have to wait until she was 18 if she wanted to wear a uniform. Hopefully at the Navel Academy.
12 posted on 07/06/2004 12:41:38 PM PDT by Incorrigible (immanentizing the eschaton)
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To: Incorrigible

Hah, our new neighbors were relocated from Great Britain. First thing they did was pull down the American flag from the flag pole out front and then the woman commented on how shocking it was that our police offices carry guns...........AARRRRRRRGGGGGGGG


13 posted on 07/06/2004 12:44:18 PM PDT by OldFriend (IF YOU CAN READ THIS, THANK A TEACHER.......AND SINCE IT'S IN ENGLISH, THANK A SOLDIER)
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To: Incorrigible
I told her she would have to wait until she was 18 if she wanted to wear a uniform. Hopefully at the Navel Academy.

You mean the Naval Academy? I think the Navel Academy is a Brittany SpearsTM training camp.

;^)

14 posted on 07/06/2004 1:11:37 PM PDT by randog (Everything works great 'til the current flows.)
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To: rhema

and shutout.


15 posted on 07/06/2004 1:12:07 PM PDT by SoDak
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To: rhema

You know, I'd bet that for the most part these clymers who whined about GI Joe don't even LIKE baseball. Sort of goes along with being anti-American.


16 posted on 07/06/2004 1:14:38 PM PDT by Lee'sGhost (Crom!)
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To: OldFriend

Their police officers carry guns now.


17 posted on 07/06/2004 1:18:36 PM PDT by AppyPappy (If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)
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To: randog

LOL! I are a engineer!


18 posted on 07/06/2004 1:19:24 PM PDT by Incorrigible (immanentizing the eschaton)
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To: rhema
A young girl walking behind the man looked back at the supporters and twirled her hand next to her ear, as if to gesture that the man was cuckoo.

LOL.

19 posted on 07/06/2004 1:24:42 PM PDT by mewzilla
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To: OldFriend

The next time you run into the Brits, just tell 'em that it's a leftover tradition from 1776... : )


20 posted on 07/06/2004 1:24:44 PM PDT by WestVirginiaRebel (The John Edwards action figure. Pull the string and he'll sue, sue, sue!)
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